Wrongful Death

Houston Oil Rig Explosion Lawyer

Oil rig explosions can be disastrous on a large scale, threatening the lives of all workers on a rig. The tragedy of these accidents can be compounded by the fact that, in many cases, oil rig explosions are caused by preventable negligence.

If you or someone you love has been harmed in an oil rig explosion, the lawyers at the Amaro Law Firm are here for you, ready to:

Explain your rights and options for justice

Identify all negligent and liable parties and hold them accountable

Advocate your rights to compensation for your injuries and losses.

Oil rig explosions and fires are often caused by preventable negligence. When they are, survivors can be entitled to recoveries for pain, suffering, medical bills, and more.

Oil rig explosions can be caused by various factors. In some cases, a combination of these factors may be involved in a single explosion. The following highlights some of the most common contributing factors to oil rig explosions.

Oil Rig Fires

Fires are one of the biggest threats oil rig workers face. This is particularly true considering the fact that the large fuel supplies on rigs can readily feed fires, potentially making them uncontrollable. Some common causes of oil rig fires include:

Improperly using welding, grinding or cutting tools

Failing to repair damaged electric devices or electric wires

Improperly handling oil, gas or other flammable substances

Failing to contain kitchen fires, which can spread to other parts of the rig

Leaving appliances or equipment running while unattended.

Blowouts

Blowouts are another significant risk facing rig workers. Blowouts, which can occur above or below the surface of the sea, result in crude oil being uncontrollably released from a rig. Some common causes of blowouts, which can lead to oil rig explosions, include:

Equipment failures – These can arise from failures to maintain equipment or inherently defective equipment.

Worker negligence – This can involve untrained or careless employees failing to follow proper safety protocols or failing to properly carry out their job duties.

Other Negligence

The negligence that can contribute to oil rig explosions can arise in many forms. In addition to those discussed above, other instances of negligence that can cause rig explosions include (and are not limited to):

Employer negligence

Subcontractor negligence

Equipment manufacturer negligence.

Common Oil Rig Explosion Injuries

Rig explosions commonly cause catastrophic injuries. These can include (and are not limited to):

The Amaro Law Firm can help workers and families secure the financial recoveries they deserve for these impacts and losses.

Violations of Safety Regulations: Common Examples

The known dangers of the oil drilling industry have led to the enactment of various safety regulations. These regulations, overseen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),1 are intended to minimize the risk of explosions, blowouts and other accidents that could harm workers.

Unfortunately, oil companies and others do not always comply with these safety regulations. This occurs all too often because employers prioritize profits over workers’ safety. That can result in cutting corners to try to reduce costs and increase profits.

When these or other safety regulations cause oil rig explosions, employers can be liable for compensating victims. They may also be on the hook for paying punitive damages.

Compensation for Victims of Oil Rig Explosions

In the wake of a rig explosion, the options for recovery will depend on various factors, some of which include:

The type of rig where the explosion occurred – Jack-up and floating rigs, for example, are usually considered to be vessels. This can mean that workers injured on these (and similar) rigs are protected under the Jones Act. In contrast, workers injured on fixed rig structures may be able to pursue claims under the Outer-Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

The cause of the explosion – Whether the negligence of an employer, a worker or some other party contributed to the explosion can impact the available legal remedies for injured workers.

Regardless of the type of claim pursued, financial recoveries for the victims of oil rig explosions can include (but may not be restricted to):

Lost wages and earning capacity

Hospital, surgery and medical treatment costs

Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation needs

Pain and suffering

Loss of consortium.

The Amaro Law Firm offers free case evaluations to provide injured workers with helpful information about their recovery options. Since being founded, our firm has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients.

How an Attorney Can Help

Our Houston maritime injury lawyers can provide invaluable support, advocacy and representation when it’s time to file an injury claim. We always tailor our services to fit the specifics of a claim (and the needs and goals of our clients). In general, though, some of the ways we can help you with an oil rig explosion claim include by:

Explaining the law, your rights and the recovery process

Determining all liable parties and the legal remedies available to you

Handling all the administrative work to initiate your claim

Building you a strong claim and bringing your claim to the best possible outcome.

Let us provide you with more details during a free, no obligations consultation.

We Are Ready to Help You Now: Contact a Houston Maritime & Offshore Injury Lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm

Call (877) 892-2797 or email our firm to take the first step towards justice and recovery. The Houston maritime & offshore injury lawyers at the Amaro Law Firm have the insight, experience and resources you can count on for effective advocacy and exceptional representation in any type of maritime and offshore injury claim.

Our record of success and exceptional representation has earned us 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook.

We offer virtual consultations and can travel to meet you if you are unable to come to our office.

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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

*R. James Amaro:

Super Lawyer – Awarded by Thomson Reuters 2016-2020

Rising Star – Awarded by Thomson Reuters 2015-2015

National Trial Lawyer Top 100 – Awarded by National Trial Lawyer 2011-present